Welcome to Seattle, Journalists from Uzbekistan!

Central Asia is one of the most complex places on the planet, rich in cultures, languages, and history – and especially with its legendary place on the old Silk Road. At the heart of that Silk Road is Uzbekistan, studded with UNESCO-listed treasures of Samarkand, Bukhara and beyond. When I lived in Tashkent long ago and won an international award to work as a senior correspondent for Soviet TV – reporting in Russian to tens of millions of viewers – Uzbeks opened their hearts and homes to me.

I fell in lovewith Uzbekistan, and Central Asia…

I’m on set during a LIVE interview in Russian at Gosteleradio in Tashkent, Uzbekistan Nervous? YES!! (1990)

Eternal Kindness

I simply cannot live up to Uzbeks’ hospitality and kindness – so when they show up in Seattle, I try to extend a welcoming hand, and hug. With a new Uzbek president in power, reforms are rampant – from business and currency to the new ease in traveling to Uzbekistan, with the process of obtaining a travel visa simplified and more streamlined. (Hurray!) There is a sense of optimism I’ve never before felt or seen for this country, and I lean into the hope of a bright future for my beloved Uzbekistan and dear Uzbek friends.

I was fortunate to be with Uzbek journalists from Tashkent visiting Seattle a few years ago – and again so lucky to be with a new Uzbek team visiting Seattle this week. Here are just a few photos from our time today in Pike Place Market and the waterfront, on their last day in the U.S. before flying to South Korea.

Hanging Out With the Uzbek Team

A’zam Obidov and I met a few years ago when an Uzbek TV news team from Tashkent came to Seattle to cover stories here, including Navruz, the springtime Muslim festival. It’s great meeting a new Uzbek team! A’zam is also a poet, with his latest astonishing words published in the book, “The Language of Birds,“ and translated into multiple languages.

Seattle’s Pike Place Market

We were lucky the sun came out on this windy day in Seattle! We’re at the entrance to Pike Place Market, first opened in 1907; not much has changed in 111 years. In comparison, Tashkent has the 1,000-year-old (and maybe older) local and lively Chorsu Bazaar – brimming with everything under the sun, from apples to watermelons to batteries and TVs.

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Singing outside the original Starbucks

“The Very First Tile,” one of 55,000 in Pike Place Market

A’zam Obidov at the GERMY Gum Wall

Here’s a taste of what we saw and heard:

A trio of buskars sings and performs the 1928 song, “In the Jailhouse Now” outside of the original Starbucks store in Pike Place Market.

Despite the holiday crowds, we find “The Very First Tile” in Pike Place Market, one of 55,000 tiles. Each donor paid $35 in 1985 and 1986 to help save the Market from demolition.

A’zam Obidov is at one of the most popular places in Seattle: the germy Gum Wall in Pike Place Market. In 2015, 1.75 TONS of gum were removed and the walls were cleaned. You would never know, looking at it today. Guess we Seattleites are addicted to recycling!

The guys hang out with the Ivar statue, eternally feeding the seagulls A’Zam Obidov, Sanjar Said, Elyorjon Ehsonov in the chair

Eating Out, On Seattle’s Waterfront

When the Uzbek journalists said, “We want authentic fried fish and chips!” – of course you head to Seattle’s Ivar’s on the waterfront, opened in 1938. They’re with a statue of Ivar feeding the seagulls; his motto was “Keep Clam!”

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At Ivar’s Fish Bar, you ARE allowed to feed the bird, so Sanjar Said does! Seattle, February 17, 2018

Nigora Umarova feeds the birds – usually forbidden on Seattle’s waterfront, but this place is the exceptionSeattle, February 17, 2018

A seagull grabs a french fry from Sanjar Said’s outstretched hand on Seattle’s waterfront February 17, 2018

We are walking UPHILL back to the hotel, more than 5 miles of walking around Seattle – so fun! Sanjar Said, Nigora Umarova, Helen Holter, Elyorjon Ehsonov

Such a wonderful day showing my beloved Seattle to my Uzbek friends. It’s my hope they’ll return soon, and that we can all live into the hope of continued strong relations between Seattle and Tashkent – in large part thanks to our 45-year friendship through the Seattle-Tashkent Sister City Association – and between the United States and Uzbekistan. All the best to you and your families!

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About Helen Holter

Immersed in the Northwest's jaw-dropping beauty, technology, and generosity, Helen lives and works at the cutting-edge of digital and broadcast media, sharing with others along the way. An Emmy-winning former TV news journalist in Seattle and Russia, Helen loves Seattle for its "spirit of place," especially in the outdoors, technology, global health, and – yes! – great coffee! Here lives the quirky intersection of old and new, past and future – Helen's home, Seattle.